Methods and apparatus for dispensing, mixing and applying coating constituents to traffic surfaces, and traffic surfaces coated using such methods

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for dispensing, mixing and applying coating constituents to traffic surfaces has a wheeled transport carriage that supports a reservoir for coating constituents that are to be dispensed. A dispensing system regulates the dispensing of coating constituents from the reservoir onto traffic surface portions that extend centrally beneath the carriage. A power drive system moves the carriage across selected portions of traffic surfaces, rotates a set of mixing and applicator tools that extend in a radial array beneath the carriage, and rotates a set of blending blades within the reservoir to maintain coating constituent homogeneity, with these functions characteristically being carried out concurrently during the dispensing of coating constituents from the reservoir. The power drive system includes a carriage-mounted source of rotary energy such as an engine, and provides for coordinated operation of the power driven components at appropriate relative speeds of rotation to facilitate the application of coating constituents to traffic surfaces in a desired manner and with desired uniformity. Method aspects of the invention reside in the coordinated manner in which separate sets of power driven components are operated to enhance the character and uniformity of coatings that are applied to traffic surfaces.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. applicationSer. No. 07/586,909 filed Sep. 24, 1990 (issued Feb. 4, 1992 as U.S.Pat. No. 5,085,537--referred to hereinafter as the fourth Parent Case),which was filed as continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.07/368,084 filed Jun. 19, 1989 (issued Sep. 25, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No.4,958,955--referred to hereinafter as the Third Parent Case), which wasfiled as a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/213,449 filedJun. 28, 1988, which was filed as continuation of U.S. application Ser.No. 07/085,253 filed Aug. 11, 1987 (abandoned), which was filed as acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 06/892,337 filed Aug. 1, 1986(abandoned), which was filed as a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 06/532,742 filed Sep. 16, 1983 (issued Aug, 5, 1986as U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,999--referred to hereinafter as the Second ParentCase), which was, in turn, filed as a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 06/408,484 filed Aug. 16, 1982 (issued Oct.16, 1984 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,203--referred to hereinafter as theFirst Parent Case), the disclosures of all of the aforementioned beingincorporated herein by reference.

The invention disclosed and claimed herein is the work product of acontinuing development effort that resulted in the inventions of theFirst, Second, Third and Fourth Parent Cases (referred to collectivelyhereinafter as the Parent Cases), and that provides a number ofimprovement features that can be used separately from or in conjunctionwith features of the inventions of one or more of the Parent Cases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for dispensing,mixing and applying coating constituents to form desired types ofcoatings on relatively large surface areas that characteristically arereferred to as "traffic surfaces," typically roadway surfaces such ashighways, streets, driveways, parking lots, runways, taxiways, andtarmacs and the like; and, the invention relates to traffic surfacesthat are coated by utilization of the methods hereof. One aspect of thepresent invention relates to a coordinated manner in which power-drivencomponents are utilized in concert with a regulated dispensing ofcoating constituents to facilitate the application of traffic surfacecoatings that are characterized by consistently good uniformity.

2. Prior Art

In the present document, the term "traffic surface" is used in a genericsense to refer to a wide class of substantially horizontal surfaces suchas highways, streets, driveways, parking lots, runways, taxiways,tarmacs, floors of large garages and industrial buildings, loading dockdecks, and the like that need to be coated from time to time to protect,restore and enhance surface integrity.

Because traffic surfaces are exposed to wear and often to the effects ofthe elements, they are subject to deterioration and periodically requirethe application of coatings to protect, restore and enhance theirintegrity, and to thereby extend their useful lives. Some trafficsurfaces should be coated when constructed, as by the application of acoating that seals exposed surfaces and thereby protects against waterpenetration that, in winter, can cause spalding or cracking. Manytraffic surfaces require protective and reconditioning coatingperiodically and/or after the surfaces have been subjected to a certainamount of use.

While the prior art presents many proposals that seek to address needsthat are encountered in applying coating constituents to trafficsurfaces, a need nonetheless remains for a power operated apparatus thatadvantageously and efficiently combines a transport carriage, a carriagemounted reservoir for containing coating constituents that are to bedispensed, a center-fed system for regulating the dispensing of coatingconstituents from the reservoir onto traffic surface portions that arelocated centrally beneath the carriage, and a carriage mounted powerdrive system for selectively providing rotary energy tocarriage-connected components that include a power driven set of wheelsfor moving the carriage across a traffic surface, a power drivenblending system for maintaining coating constituent homogeneity withinthe reservoir, and a power driven set of rotary tools that extend in aradial array beneath the carriage for mixing, spreading and applyingdispensed coating constituents with consistently good uniformity ontotraffic surface portions that are engaged by the rotary tools as thecarriage is moved across a traffic surface.

The Referenced Parent Cases

The referenced First Parent Case, U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,203, discloses anapparatus for dispensing plural coating constituents from separatereservoirs that are supported atop a wheeled carriage, with anpower-driven array of rotary tools being provided to mix, spread andapply the coating constituents after they have been dispensed. Thereferenced Second Parent Case, U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,999, discloses anapparatus that utilizes a roller or wheel supported carriage to positionan array of power driven rotary tools to effect "finishing" of coatingconstituents applied to a traffic surface. The referenced Third ParentCase, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,955, discloses an apparatus that utilizes aplurality of arrays of power-driven rotary tools to mix, spread andapply dispensed coating constituents to traffic surfaces. The referencedFourth Parent Case, U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,537, discloses an apparatus thatutilizes a hollow shaft to centrally support an array of power-drivenrotary tools, and that utilizes a center-fed system for dispensingcoating constituents through the hollow shaft. Methods that utilizevarious features of these inventions also are disclosed by thereferenced Parent Cases.

Not specifically addressed by the inventions of the referenced ParentCases is the need that remains for a power operated system thatadvantageously and efficiently combines a transport carriage, a carriagemounted reservoir for containing coating constituents that are to bedispensed, a center-fed system for regulating the dispensing of coatingconstituents from the reservoir onto traffic surface portions that arelocated centrally beneath the carriage, and a carriage mounted powerdrive system for selectively providing rotary energy to carriageconnected components that include a power driven set of wheels formoving the carriage across a traffic surface, a power driven blendingsystem for maintaining coating constituent homogeneity within thereservoir, and a power driven set of rotary tools that extend in aradial array beneath the carriage for mixing, spreading and applyingdispensed coating constituents with consistently good uniformity ontotraffic surface portions that are engaged by the rotary tools as thecarriage is moved across the traffic surface.

While the system of the present invention may, in some modes ofpractice, make use of a number of features that are disclosed in one ormore of the referenced Parent Cases, the system of the present inventionprovides an improved combination of features that extends beyond thescope of the referenced Parent Cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the foregoing and other drawbacks of theprior art by providing a novel and improved methods and apparatus fordispensing, mixing and applying coating constituents to trafficsurfaces; and by providing resulting surface coatings that are desirablycharacterized by consistently good uniformity. A feature of thepreferred practice of the present invention resides in the use that ismade of power driven apparatus to mix, spread and apply dispensedcoating constituents in an operationally-coordinated manner thatfacilitates and enhances the capability of the apparatus to apply avariety of desired types of traffic surface coatings with consistentlygood uniformity.

An apparatus that embodies the best mode known to the inventor forcarrying out the practice of this invention is illustrated in thedrawings hereof, and is capable, concurrently, 1) of maintaininghomogeneity of reservoir-carried coating constituents prior to theirbeing dispensed, 2) of dispensing, mixing, spreading and applyingcoating constituents on smooth and/or irregular traffic surfaces rangingin size from relatively small to relatively large, 3) of mixing,spreading and applying dispensed coating constituents as by utilizing atleast one set of rotary tools that are rotated about a substantiallyvertically extending center axis, 4) of dispensing coating constituentsfrom the reservoir in a regulated, "center fed" manner as by ducting thecoating constituents downwardly through a hollow shaft that centrallymounts the rotary tools, so that the coating constituents are dischargedonto the traffic surface at a central location amidst the set of rotarytools for being engaged by the tools as the apparatus moves across thetraffic surface, and 5) of coordinating these concurrent functions sothat desired types of coating applications are provided that arecharacterized by consistently high uniformity.

In accordance with the preferred practice of the present invention, asystem for applying a coating to a traffic surface utilizes a powerdriven unit that dispenses coating constituents in a regulated manneronto traffic surface portions that extend along a forward path of travelof the power driven unit. The unit preferably includes a wheel supportedtransport carriage that extends substantially horizontally. At least oneset of rotary tools is rotatably supported beneath the carriage formixing, spreading and applying dispensed coating constituents. The setof tools rotates relative to the carriage about a center axis thatextends substantially vertically. A hollow, tubular stub shaft extendsalong the center axis, depends from the carriage, and iscircumferentially engaged by bearings that connect the set of tools tothe carriage for rotation about the center axis. As the unit movesforwardly along the travel path, at least one regulated flow of fluidcoating constituents (i.e., a regulated flow of a fluid portion of suchcoating constituents as are to be dispensed onto portions of the trafficsurface that underlies the carriage) is ducted along the center axisthrough the hollow stub shaft for discharge substantially centrallyrelative to the associated set of rotating tools. As the carriage movesalong its forward path of travel, the set of rotating tools is broughtinto engagement with deposited constituents, thereby causing the toolsmix the constituents in situ, and to spread and apply the resultingmixture of constituents to coat the traffic surface. By coordinatingsuch features as the forward velocity of the carriage and the rotationalspeed of the set of rotary tools, the uniformity of the resultingcoating is enhanced and rendered more consistent.

In preferred practice, at least one fluid reservoir is provided atop thetransport carriage for containing at least one fluid coatingconstituent. A rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of blending bladesextends through the fluid reservoir and is power driven to assist inmaintaining the homogeneity of fluid constituent. An adjustable controlregulates the dispensing of the fluid constituent from the fluidreservoir, and the regulated flow is "center-fed" through the hollowtubular shaft for discharge at a location that is "central" to anassociated set of rotating tools that mixes, spreads and applies thedispensed coating constituents. By coordinating the rate of rotation ofthe blending blades with other factors such as the rate of rotation ofthe tools and the forward velocity of the power driven unit, theuniformity of the resulting coating further enhanced.

In preferred practice, a trailing finishing blade depends from rearwardportions of the carriage to effect final smoothing of the appliedcoating, and to minimize wheel marks in the resulting coating. Thefinishing blade is adjustably connected to the carriage so that it canbe adjusted vertically as may be needed to accommodate wear and toassure that the blade is positioned properly with respect to the trafficsurface during operation of the apparatus.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention that is depicted in thedrawings and that is described later herein includes only one set ofrotary tools and defines only one center axis about which a set ofrotary tools rotates to effect mixing, spreading and application ofcoating constituents, it will be understood by those who are skilled inthe art that a plurality of rotary tool units, each rotating about aseparate, substantially vertically extending center axis, can beutilized to advantage, for example in such "tandem" arrangements as aredescribed and illustrated in the referenced Third Parent Case. In oneform of practice, the "tandem" rotary tool units are arrangedside-by-side so that, as the apparatus is moved forwardly along a pathof travel, each of the side-by-side rotary tool units treats a separateportion of the width of a "treatment zone" or "travel path" that istraversed by the apparatus. In another form of practice, at least someof the rotary tool units are arranged relatively forwardly andrearwardly with respect to each other so that as the apparatus is movedforwardly along its travel path, the forward and rearward rotary toolunits are brought sequentially into contact with portions of thetreatment zone.

In still another form of practice, the forward rotary tool units can(through the use of their hollow stub shafts to duct coatingconstituents onto the traffic surface being coated) serve to effect afirst center-fed dispensing and mixing in situ of selected coatingconstituents; and, the rearward tool units can (through the use of theirhollow stub shafts to duct coating constituents onto the traffic surfacebeing coated) serve to effect a second dispensing and mixing in situ ofother selected coating constituents--whereby selected coatingconstituents can be deposited onto and at least partially mixed,spreadand/or applied to a traffic surface before other selected coatingconstituents are deposited, mixed, spread and applied. Inasmuch asstaged or separate deposits of coating ingredients often representdesirable approaches to use in effecting desired types of coatingapplications (e.g., in conjunction with applications of liquids that areto be mixed with particulates, or in conjunction with applications ofconstituents that harden or cure when mixed to form epoxy coatings,etc.), the use of staged center-fed sets of rotary tools represents agood example of how features that are disclosed in the referenced ParentCases can be combined with features of the present invention to providedesired types of system performance.

Other advantages that can obtain through the use of features of theinventions of the referenced Parent Cases reside in the provision offinishing apparatus that is capable of effecting uniform, in situ mixingof coating ingredients that range in consistency from very thin,slurry-like liquids to very viscous tar-like gels and/or particulates.Where very viscous ingredients are being used, often it is desirable toutilize arrays of alternating mixing and spreading tools. By way ofexample (and as is described in detail in the referenced Parent Cases),rake-like mixing tools may be used to break up and mix particulatecoating ingredients with viscous slurry coatings so that blade-likespreading tools can effect application of coating materials with adesired degree of uniformity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features of the invention will be betterunderstood by referring to the description of the preferred embodimentand the claims which follow, taken together with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surface finishing apparatus thatembodies the preferred practice of the present invention, with theapparatus employing a set of rotary tools to mix, spread and applycoating constituents to traffic surface portions that underlie awheel-supported transport carriage, with the view showing principallytop, front and right side portions thereof, and with portions of twoprotective enclosures removed to permit certain hidden features to beseen;

FIG. 2 is a right side elevational view thereof with portions brokenaway to permit certain otherwise hidden features to be seen, and with afew hidden features depicted by broken lines;

FIG. 3 top plan view thereof with portions broken away to permit certainotherwise hidden features to be seen, and with a few hidden featuresdepicted by broken lines; and,

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof with portions broken away topermit certain otherwise hidden features to be seen, and with a fewhidden features depicted by broken lines.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a preferred form of apparatus or machine fordispensing, mixing, spreading and applying coating constituents totraffic surfaces is indicated generally by the numeral 10. In FIGS. 1, 2and 4, the machine 10 is shown positioned atop a traffic surface 12. Aforward direction of movement of the machine 10 across the trafficsurface is indicated in FIGS. 1-3 by the arrow 14.

The machine 10 includes forward and rearward wheels 16, 18,respectively, that underlie and support a carriage structure 20 atop thetraffic surface 12. As is best seen in FIG. 3, the forward wheels 16 aremounted on coaxially extending right and left axles 15, 17 that projectfrom opposite sides of a commercially purchased differential unit 19.Carriage-mounted bearings 21 journal the axles 15, 17 for rotation. Asis best seen in FIG. 2, the rearward wheels 18 are commerciallypurchased swivel wheel assemblies that are connected to post-likeformations 13 that depend from rear corner regions of the carriagestructure 20. The swivel character of the rearward wheels 18 permits thecarriage 20 to be "steered" or "guided" as it is moved across thetraffic surface 12. While the forward wheels 16 do not swivel, they arepower driven through the axles 15, 17 to facilitate moving the machine10 across the traffic surface 12, as will be discussed in greaterdetail.

The wheels 16, 18 support the carriage structure 20 so that it extendssubstantially parallel to the plane of such portions of the trafficsurface 12 as underlie and are engaged by the wheels 16, 18. When thetraffic surface portions that underlie and support the wheels 16, 18extend in a substantially horizontal plane, the carriage structure 20likewise extends substantially horizontally.

An imaginary "center axis" of the machine 10 is depicted in FIGS. 1, 2and 4 by a centerline, indicated by an arrow 40. In FIG. 3, themachine's center axis is depicted by a dot, indicated by an arrow 40.The center axis 40 extends substantially normal to (i.e., substantiallyperpendicular to) the plane of the traffic surface 12. When the plane ofthe traffic surface 12 is horizontal (i.e., as it is depicted in FIGS.1, 2 and 4), the center axis 40 extends substantially vertically.However, if the plane of the traffic surface that is supporting themachine 10 does not extend horizontally, it will be understood by thosewho are skilled in the art that the center axis 40 will becorrespondingly inclined from the vertical. Thus, while for purposes ofsimplification in many portions of this document, the center axis 40 isreferred to by such terms as "extending vertically," it will beunderstood that the center axis 40 actually extends precisely verticallyonly when such portions of the traffic surface 12 as are engaged by thewheels 16, 18 extend precisely in a common horizontal plane. Likewise,it will be understood that the use herein of such terms as "extendingvertically," "extending horizontally" and the like is for purposes ofsimplifying the description and is not intended to limit the scope ofcoverage.

The carriage structure 20 includes a welded assembly of lengths ofstructural steel that have substantially identical channel-shaped crosssections, including right and left side members 22, 23 (FIGS. 1-4)thatextend along lower portions of upstanding right and left sidewalls 52,53 an of a generally rectangular tank assembly 50; front and reartransversely extending members 24, 25 (FIG. 1) that extend along lowerportions of upstanding front and rear sidewalls 54, 55 of the tankassembly 50; and, front and rear end members 26, 27 (FIGS. 1 and 3) thatextend between opposed front and rear end regions, respectively, of theright and left side members 22, 23.

The carriage members 22-27 are arranged such that their upper surfacesall extend in one horizontally extending plane; such that their lowersurfaces all extend in another horizontally extending plane; and suchthat the transversely extending members 24-27 each have one of theirends welded to the upstanding web of the right side member 22, whiletheir other ends are welded to the upstanding web of the left sidemember 23. By this arrangement, the members 22-27 cooperate to form asimple but rigid, generally rectangular framework; and the members 22-24extend perimetrically about the upstanding sidewalls 52-54 of the tank50.

The carriage 20 also includes a bottom beam 28 (FIGS. 1 and 3) thatextends forwardly-rearwardly at a location that is substantiallycentered between the right and left sides of the carriage 20. The bottombeam 28 overlies and is welded to central portions of the top surfacesof each of the transversely extending members 24, 25 and 26. While thecarriage members 22-27 preferably all are formed from structural steelthat has a common channel-shaped cross-section (preferably across-section having a center web that measures about two inches inheight), the bottom beam 28 preferably is formed from a significantlyheavier piece of structural steel that has a flange height (as viewed inFIG. 1) of about two inches and a central web width (as viewed inFIG. 1) that measures about six inches. By welding the distal edges ofthe flanges of the bottom beam 28 to the top surfaces of thetransversely extending members 24, 25 and 26 at locations that aremid-way along the lengths of the members 24, 25 and 26, the central webof the bottom beam 28 is oriented to define a flat, upwardly facingsurface 29 (FIGS. 2-4) that is used to support portions of a bottom wall51 (FIG. 2) of the tank 50.

Referring variously to FIGS. 1-4, the tank 50 is a welded assembly ofsteel side walls 52-55 and a steel bottom wall 51, with each of thewalls 51-55 being of substantially rectangular configuration. The tank50 is reinforced near its lower end 1) by the aforedescribed channelmembers 22-25 which extend perimetrically about the bottom of the tank5, and 2) by the bottom beam 28 that underlies portions of the bottomwall 51 of the tank 50.

In the manner that the channel members 22-25 provide a generallyrectangular frame that perimetrically surrounds and reinforces lowerportions of the sidewalls 52-55 of the tank 50, a similar set of channelmembers 32-35 is provided to define a generally rectangular frame thatperimetrically surrounds and reinforces upper portions of the tanksidewalls 52-55. And, in a similar manner, a set of channel members42-45 (that is identical to the set of channel members 32-35) isprovided to form a generally rectangular frame that perimetricallysurrounds middle portions of the sidewalls 52-54 of the tank 50. Inpreferred practice, each of the channel members 22-27, 32-35 and 42-45is formed from structural steel that has a common channel-shaped crosssection.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, in the same manner that the bottom beam28 1) underlies (and is welded to) the bottom wall 51 of the tank 50 and2) extends across (and is welded to) top surfaces of the channel members24-26, a top beam 38 is provided that 1) overlies the tank 50 and 2)extends across (and is welded to) top surfaces of the channel members 34and 35.

Right and left door panels 62, 63 are pivotally connected to the topbeam 38 by "continuous hinge" assemblies 64, 65 that extend along (andare welded to) opposite upstanding flanges of the top beam 38. Right andleft handles 66, 67 are provided to facilitate pivoting the door panels62, 63 between the closed positions that are depicted in the drawingsand open positions (not shown) that permit fluid coating constituents tobe poured into the reservoir 70 that is defined by the tank 50.

While the tank assembly 50 is described and depicted herein as definingonly a single reservoir chamber 70 (FIG. 3) for receiving fluid coatingconstituents (not shown) that are to be dispensed onto the trafficsurface 12, it is possible for the tank assembly 50 to be constructed soas to provide a plurality of compartments or reservoirs (not shown--butdiscussed in a number of the referenced Parent Patents, e.g., in thereferenced Fourth Parent Case) for containing and dispensing segregatedquantities of coating constituents.

Referring to FIG. 2, a centrally located outlet opening 80 is defined inthe bottom of the tank 50. The outlet opening 80 is defined by an upperend region 81 of a tubular stub shaft member 82 that projects through acentrally located hole 85 that is formed in the bottom wall 51. Thetubular stub shaft member 82 extends coaxially about the center axis 40and has a lower end region 83 that is located several inches below thebottom wall 51 of the tank 50. A discharge opening 90 is defined by thelower end region 83 of the tubular stub shaft member 82.

Surrounding the upper end region 81 of the tubular stub shaft member 82is a relatively thick reinforcing sleeve 84. The sleeve 84 has its upperend extending into underlying engagement with the bottom surface of thebottom wall 51 of the tank 50 to securely support the bottom wall 51 inthe vicinity of the outlet opening 80. The sleeve 83 is welded to theupper end region 81 of the tubular stub shaft member 82, to the bottomwall 51 of the tank 50, and to the bottom beam 28, and therebyreinforces the junctures of these components within the vicinity of theoutlet opening 80.

Referring still to FIG. 2, a tapered, stopper-like valve member 86 isprovided for controlling the flow of coating constituents from thereservoir 70 through the outlet opening 80 and through the tubular stubshaft member 82 for downward discharge onto the traffic surface 12through the discharge opening 90. A control rod 87 carries the valvemember 86 and extends upwardly through the tank 50 along the center axis40. Spaced above the outlet opening 80 is a guide-like support member 88that assists in keeping the control rod 87 aligned along the center axis40. The support member 88 includes a sleeve 89 through which portions ofthe control rod 87 loosely extend, and elongate body portions 91 thatrigidly connect with the front and rear walls 54, 55 of the tank 50.

The control rod 87 has an upper end region 92 that carries a coarse setof threads 93. Welded to the top beam 38 is a threaded sleeve 94 throughwhich the upper end region 92 of the control rod 87 is threaded. Weldedto the upper end of the control rod 87 is a toothed sprocket 95 (FIGS.1-3) which, when rotated in clockwise and counterclockwise directionsabout the center axis 40 serves to thread the control rod 87 through thethreaded sleeve 94 to raise and lower the valve member 86 relative tothe outlet opening 80. When in its lowermost position (not shown), thevalve member 86 sealingly engages such upper end region portions of thetubular stub shaft 82 as define the outlet opening 80--much in the samemanner that a tapered sink stopper wedgingly closes the upwardly facingdrain opening of a sink. The extent to which the valve member 86 israised above the outlet opening 80 serves to regulate the rate at whichfluid coating constituents discharge from the reservoir 70 through theoutlet opening 80 and thence through the discharge opening 90 ontoportions of the traffic surface 12 that underlie the machine 10.

To control the position of the valve member 86 relative to the outletopening 80, a roller chain 96 is reeved around the sprocket 95 andaround a second sprocket 97 that is supported on a stub shaft 98 that isconnected to the front end region of the top beam 38. An operatorcontrol in the form of a crank handle 99 is connected to the secondsprocket 97 for rotation therewith about the axis of the stub shaft 98.By rotating the crank handle 99 selectively clockwise andcounterclockwise, the chain interconnected sprockets 95, 97 cause thecontrol rod 87 to selectively raise and lower the valve member 86between positions that permit a desirably regulated flow of fluidcoating constituents to discharge through the discharge opening 90, anda position wherein the valve member 86 closes the outlet opening 80 tostop the discharge of fluid coating constituents from the dischargeopening 90.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a blender shaft 100 extends substantiallycentrally through the tank 50 from side to side thereof. Right and leftend regions 102, 103 of the blender shaft 100 extend through alignedholes that are formed centrally through the right and left side walls52, 53 and through the right and left frame members 42, 43,respectively. Right and left lubricated bearing units 112, 113 areconnected to the right and left side walls 52, 53 and extend for shortdistances into the reservoir 70 that is defined by the tank 50. Thebearing units 112, 113 journal the left and right end regions 102, 103of the blender shaft 100 and cooperate with the shaft 100 to define anaxis of blender shaft rotation that is indicated in FIG. 3 by the arrow110.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a relatively large diameter V-belt pulley120 is connected to the right end region 102 of the blender shaft 100for rotating the blender shaft 100 preferably at a rate of rotation thatis between about 30 to about 60 revolutions per minute. A V-belt 125 isreeved around the relatively large pulley 120 and around a relativelysmall pulley 130 that is located relatively near the right front cornerof the carriage 20. A belt tensioner pulley 135 engages the periphery ofthe belt 125 for purposes of loosening and tightening the grip of thebelt 125 on the pulleys 120, 130 so as to selectively establish adriving connection therebetween.

Referring to FIG. 2, a position of the tensioner pulley 135 thattensions the belt 125 adequately to establish a driving connectionbetween the pulleys 120, 130 is shown in solid lines, while a positionof the tensioner pulley 135 that releases belt tension adequately toprovide no driving connection between the pulleys 120, 130 is shown indotted lines, with corresponding positions of a control lever 145 thatpositions the tensioner pulley 135 also being shown in solid and indotted lines. The control lever 145 is pivotally connected to a stubshaft 146 that is welded to the front wall 54 of the tank 50, and has anarm 147 that projects from the vicinity of the stub shaft 146 to supportthe tensioner pulley 135. A spring detent 148 carried by the lever 145is engageable with a series of holes 149 formed in a curved bracket 150that projects forwardly from the front wall 54 of the tank 50 toreleasably retain the control lever 145 in its belt-tensioning position(shown in solid lines in FIG. 2) and its non-tensioning position (shownin dotted lines in FIG. 2). In preferred practice, a safety enclosuretype of guard loosely surrounds the belt 125 and the pulleys 120, 130,135 to prevent persons and objects from inadvertently coming intoengagement with these drive connection components. Portions of such aguard-type enclosure are indicated by the numeral 155 in each of FIGS.1-4.

Referring to FIG. 3, two hubs 160 are mounted on the blender shaft 100at spaced locations within the tank 50. Blender blades 165 are carriedby the hubs 160. Rigid driving connections are established by the hubs160 between the blender shaft 100 and the blender blades 165 so that,when the blender shaft 100 is rotated about its axis 110, the blenderblades 165 are caused to rotate within the tank 50 to cause stirring,mixing and blending of such fluid constituent coating components as arecontained within the reservoir 70 that is defined by the tank 50.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, a generally U-shaped handle 170 extendsforwardly from the channel member 34 that extends along top portions ofthe front wall 54 of the tank 50. In preferred practice, the handle 170is formed as a welded assembly from three pieces of structural steel orsteel pipe. The purpose of the handle 170 is to provide a strong,easy-to-grasp structure that will enable an operator to physically guidethe movement of the machine 10.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a trailing type of resilient finishing bladeassembly 180 is mounted at the rear of the carriage 20 for dependingtoward and into gentle engagement with such traffic surface portions ashave been coated during passage thereover of other operationalcomponents of the machine 10. A purpose served by the resilientfinishing blade assembly 180 is to assist in assuring that a newlyapplied coating is smooth and uniform--and to minimize the possibilitythat wheel tracks are left in the newly applied coating.

The resilient finishing blade assembly 180 is adjustably connected tothe carriage 20 by means of right and left mounting assemblies 184 thatare identical except for the fact that one connects with the rear end ofthe left carriage channel 22 while the other connects with the rear endof the right carriage channel 22. Since the mounting assemblies 184 areidentical, only one will be described.

Referring to FIG. 2 wherein features of one of the mounting assemblies184 is best depicted, a support bracket 185 has an internally threaded,substantially vertically extending hole 186 formed therethrough. Anexternally threaded tubular adjustment sleeve 187 is threaded into thehole 186 and has a hex formation 188 near its upper end for permitting awrench (not shown) to be utilized to thread the sleeve 187 upwardly ordownwardly through the hole 186 as may be desired to selectively adjustthe vertical position of the tubular sleeve 187. A support rod 189extends vertically through the tubular sleeve 187. A yoke formation 190is defined at the lower end of the support rod 189 for receiving anupper edge portion of the resilient member 182. A fastener 191 extendsthrough aligned holes that are formed through the yoke formation 190 andthrough upper edge portions of the resilient member 182 to securelyconnect the support rod 189 to the resilient member 182. The upper endof the support rod 189 is threaded carries at least one lock nut 192thereon. A compression coil spring 193 is interposed between the lowerend of the tubular sleeve 187 and the yoke formation 190 to bias theresilient member 182 downwardly toward engagement with the trafficsurface 12.

The mounting assemblies 184 are adjustable both to vertically positionthe resilient member 182 and to set a permitted range of travel throughwhich the resilient member 182 can move vertically. By treading thesleeve 187 upwardly or downwardly relative to its associated supportbracket 185, and by selectively positioning the lock nut 192 on thesupport rod 189, these adjustments are effected. In preferred practice,the bottom edge of the resilient member 182 preferably is positioned togently engage the traffic surface 12, and a small but reasonable rangeof vertical travel is set through which the resilient member 182 ispermitted to move to accommodate variations that may be encountered inthe traffic surface 12.

Disposed beneath the carriage assembly 20 and extending in a radiallyarranged array relative to the center axis 40 is a set of rotaryfinishing tools 200 that is power driven to rotate about the center axis40 to mix, spread and apply coating constituents that are deposited onthe traffic surface 12. Referring principally to FIG. 2 (but also withoccasional reference to FIG. 4), the rotary tool unit 200 includes arotary member 210 that is rotatably connected by bearings 212 to thehollow, depending stub shaft 82 through which at least a fluid portionof such coating constituents as are to be applied to the traffic surface12 are dispensed. The rotary member 210 is a four-sided block of steelthat defines four upstanding outer faces 211 that are arranged inopposed pairs, with the faces of each pair extending parallel to eachother, and with the faces of the two pairs extending substantiallyperpendicular to each other. Faces of one of the pairs are designated bythe numeral 211' in FIG. 2. Faces of the other pair are designated bythe numeral 211" in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIG. 2, internal features of the rotary member 210 includea centrally-extending passage through 216 that extends along the centeraxis 40. The passage 216 is enlarged near its upper and lower endregions to receive the bearings 212. A snap ring 218 engages acircumferentially extending groove that is formed toward the bottom endregion of the stub shaft 82 to hold a washer 222 in place above the snapring 218. The washer 222 engages the bottom bearing 212 and assists inretaining the rotary member 210 in place on the stub shaft 82. Asleeve-like spacer 224 is provided atop the upper bearing 212 andextends into engagement with the bottom of the reinforcing sleeve 84that forms a part of the welded assemblage of the carriage structure 20and tank assembly 50, described above.

A pulley 300 is bolted to the upper end region of the rotary member 210and, when driven by means of a belt 310 that is reeved around the pulley300, serves to rotate the rotary member 210 about the center axis 40preferably within the range of about 40 to about 70 rpm.

The four-sided block of steel that forms the rotary member 210 carriesfour identical yoke-like formations 230 (two of which are shown in FIG.2, with the remaining two being shown only partially in FIG. 4). Theyoke-like formations 230 extend radially outwardly relative to thecenter axis 40, with each of the formations 230 extending substantiallyperpendicular to its two nearest neighbor formations 230. Inner endregions 242 of four tubular arms 240 (two of which are shown in FIG. 2,with the remaining two being shown in FIG. 4) are received within theyoke-like formations 230, and are pivotally connected thereto by pivotpins 244 (two of which are shown in FIG. 2) that extend substantiallyhorizontally through aligned holes formed in the yoke formations 230 andin the inner end regions 242 of their associated tubular arms 240.

Four blade-like applicator tools 250 (two of which are depicted in FIG.2, with the remaining two being depicted in FIG. 4) are positionedbeneath outer end regions 248 of the tubular arms 240. The applicatortools 250 can take any of a variety of forms, but preferably take theforms that are described in detail in the referenced Parent Patents,whereby many of the tools 250 each has a resilient, blade-like bottomportion 252 that extends upwardly and connects with a rigid support 254that is pivotally connected to a separate one of outer end regions 248of the arms 240. In preferred practice, yoke like structures 256 aredefined by the supports 254 to extend along opposed sides of the outerend regions 248, and pivot pins 260 (two of which are shown in FIG. 2)extend through aligned holes that are formed through the outer endregions 248 and through the yoke-like structures 256 to pivotallyconnect the applicator tools 250 to the radially extending arms 240.

While the arms 240 extend substantially radially with respect to thecenter axis 40, the blade-like applicator tools 250 preferably arecanted or inclined relative to the arms 240 so that outer end regions ofthe blades 250 tend to lead inner end regions when the rotary tool unit200 is rotated about the axis 40 in a forward direction of rotationwhich is indicated in FIGS. 1 and 3 by arrows 190. Moreover, the pivotpins 260 that pivotally connect the blade-like applicator tools 250 tothe tubular arms 240 preferably are inclined slightly relative to thehorizontal, typically by only about five degrees, so that upper portionsof the blade-like applicator tools 250 tend to slightly lead lowerportions of the tools 250 when the rotary tool unit 200 is rotated inthe direction of the arrows 190. These slight inclinations orincantations of the applicator tools assist in minimizing tool "chatter"and "drag," help to maintain proper control of such coating constituentsas are being mixed, spread and applied to the traffic surface 12, andtend to assist in assuring that coating constituents are mixed properlyand are applied smoothly.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, outer end regions 251 of the blade-likeapplicator tools 250 extend beyond the width the carriage 20 (it beingunderstood that the "width of the carriage 20" is defined by thedistance between the outermost surfaces of the side channels 22, 23) asthey rotate about the center axis 40 (e.g., in FIG. 3, curved, dottedlines designated by the numeral 290 depict the rotary path of the outerend regions 251 of the blade-like applicator tools 250). To provide foroperator safety, arcuate, skirt-like guards preferably are provided toprotectively enclose the outer end regions 251 to the extent that theyproject beyond the width of the carriage 20 during rotation about thecenter axis 40. In FIG. 1, a portion of one such skirt-like guard isindicated generally by the numeral 292.

The forward end portion of the carriage 20 is provided with an elevatedmotor-mount platform that is indicated in each of FIGS. 1-4 by thenumeral 294. The platform 294 includes a flat metal plate 295 ofgenerally rectangular configuration that is rigidly secured (typicallyby welding) to the upper face 29 of the bottom beam 28, and to variouslengths of channel members 296 that are rigidly secured (typically bywelding) atop portions of one or more of the carriage channels 22, 24,26.

Located beneath the flat metal plate 295 are a number of drivecomponents that cooperate to distribute rotary energy that is suppliedby a depending output shaft 330 of an engine 320 (or other source ofrotary energy such as an electrically powered motor, not shown). Theengine 320 typically is about a 31/2 horsepower internal combustionengine that has an output shaft speed of up to about 3600 revolutionsper minute, and is rigidly secured to the flat metal plate 295(typically by means of removable fasteners, not shown) such that itsoutput shaft 330 depends substantially vertically through a hole 331(FIG. 4) that is formed through the plate 295.

So that the engine 320 can be started in a "no load" condition, and sothat the operation of the engine 320 can be smoothly and successfullybrought up to a reasonable operating speed before any load is applied tothe output shaft 330, a centrifugal clutch 340 (see FIG. 3) is connectedto the output shaft 330. The centrifugal clutch 340 is a commerciallypurchased assembly that has its mechanism housed in a generallycylindrical enclosure bordered circumferentially by a V-belt pulley 350that is drivingly connected to the output shaft 330 of the engine 320only when the rotation of the output shaft 330 has been brought up to areasonable speed, typically about 2200 revolutions per minute.

Continuing to refer principally to FIG. 3, a V-belt 355 is reeved aroundthe pulley 350 of the centrifugal clutch 340 and around a pulley 360that inputs rotary energy to a right angle speed reducer 370. Ajackshaft 375 extends through the hollow output connection (not shown)of the speed reducer 370. A pair of bearings 377 journal the jackshaft375 at locations spaced from the speed reducer 370 and on opposite sidesthereof. The bearings 377 are connected by suitable mounting brackets(not shown) to components of the welded carriage structure 20.

Near the left end region of the jackshaft 375 (i.e., the right endregion as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4), a mechanicallyengageable/disengageable clutch 390 is provided for selectivelydrivingly connecting the jackshaft 375 to a clutch-carried sprocket 392.A roller chain 394 is reeved around the sprocket 392 and around theinput sprocket 396 of the differential 19. The differential 19 functionsto transmit rotary energy to the front axles 15, 17 and thence to thefront wheels 16 to move the machine 10 along a preselected path oftravel at a forward velocity that preferably is within the range ofabout 1.5 to about 3.0 miles per hour. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, acontrol lever 395 is connected by suitable linkage 397 to the mechanicalclutch 390 to permit the clutch 390 to be selectively engaged anddisengaged to selectively transmit rotary energy from the engine-drivenjackshaft 375 to the front wheels 16.

The right end region of the jackshaft 375 (i.e., the left end region asviewed in FIGS. 3 and 4) is drivingly connected to the V-belt pulley 130that drives the belt 125. The belt 125 selectively rotates the blendershaft 100, depending on whether the lever 145 is positioned to tensionor to release tension in the belt 130, as has been described.

Near the right end region of the jackshaft 375 (i.e., near the left endregion as viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4), a sprocket 400 is drivinglyconnected to the jackshaft 375. A roller chain 405 is reeved around thesprocket 400 and around a sprocket 410 that forms a part of amechanically operated clutch 420. As is best seen in FIG. 3, the clutch420 is positioned beside and is drivingly connected to input rotaryenergy to a right angle gearbox 425. The gearbox 425 has a verticallyextending output shaft 430 that is drivingly connected to a V-beltpulley 440. The V-belt 310 (that previously has been described as beingreeved around the pulley 300 that rotates the set of rotary tools 200about the center axis 40) also is reeved about the pulley 440 and isconstantly held taut by means of a spring-biased idler assembly 450. Theidler assembly 450 is connected to the carriage 20 at a location beneaththe tank 50 and serves to constantly maintain proper tension in the belt310 to enable the pulley 440 to drive the pulley 300. A control lever475 is provided with suitable linkage 477 for connecting with andoperating the clutch 420 to selectively drivingly connect theengine-driven jackshaft 375 with the gearbox 425 for selectivelyrotating the rotary tools 200.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the engine 320 is provided with athrottle lever 322 to enable the speed of its output shaft 330 to beadjusted. In preferred practice, the normal operating range of theengine is preferably held within a range of about 2200 to about 3600revolutions per minute. With the engine 320 operating within the rangeof about 2200 to about 3600 rpm, the drive linkage that connects withthe front axles 15, 17, with the blender shaft 100, and with the V-beltpulley 300 that rotates the rotary tools 200 preferably is designed toserve the functions 1) of moving the machine 10 along a forward path oftravel at a forward velocity of between about 1.7 to about 2.7 miles perhour, 2) of rotating the blender blades 165 at between about 34 andabout 53 revolutions per minute, and 3) of rotating the set of tools 200at between about 42 and about 66 revolutions per minute.

At an engine speed just slightly higher than 2200 rpm, the drive wheels16 begin to move the machine 10 at about 1.7 mph; and, assuming that thetwo mechanical clutches 390, 420 are engaged, the set of rotary tools200 begins rotating at about 42.5 rpm while the blender shaft 100 beginsrotating at about 34 rpm. At a more "normal" engine speed of about2700-2800 rpm, the forward velocity of the machine 10 is preferablywithin the range of about 2.1 to about 2.2 mph; the rotary tools 200turn at about 52 to about 53 rpm;, and, the blender shaft 100 rotates atabout 42-43 rpm. At a maximum engine speed of about 3300 to about 3400rpm, the forward velocity of the machine 10 is preferably within therange of about 2.6 to about 2.7 mph; the tool rotation speed ispreferably within the range of about 65-66 rpm; and the blender shaftrotation speed is preferably within the range of about 52-53 rpm.

By coordinating the forward velocity of the machine 10 with the speed ofrotation of the tools 200, and by simultaneously maintaining a regulatedrate of discharge of fluid coating constituents that, taken together,will result in the fluid coating constituents being applied such thatabout a gallon covers about 45 to about 55 square feet, consistentlygood uniformity of the applied coating should result. Likewise, bysuitably coordinating the speed of rotation of the blender blades 165with the speed of rotation of the tools 200 and with the forwardvelocity of the machine 10, achieving a uniform discharge rate ofhomogeneously mixed fluid constituents from the reservoir 70 isfacilitated.

In preferred practice, maintaining the forward velocity of the machinewithin the range of about 1.7 to about 2.7 miles per hour whilemaintaining the speed of rotation of the rotary tools 200 within therange of about 42 to about 66 revolutions per minute while alsomaintaining a substantially constant ration of about 1 to 25 between thevelocity in miles per hour of the machine 10 and the rotational speed inrevolutions per minute of the rotary tools 200 will help to maintainuniformity of application of the resulting coating. Furthermore, bymaintaining the rotational speed in revolutions per minute of theblender blades 165 between about 34 to about 53, while assuring that therate of discharge of fluid coating constituents provides for thespreading of a gallon of fluid coating constituents over about 45 toabout 55 square feet of traffic surface will likewise help to maintainuniformity of application of the resulting coating.

As will be apparent from the foregoing description, features of thepresent invention reside in the utilization of a multi-functional powerdrive system to operate selected components of a traffic surface coatingunit so that important parameters that contribute to the uniformity ofthe resulting coating are held within desired predetermined limits andpreferably are suitably coordinated to facilitate the application ofcoating in a manner that is characterized by consistently gooduniformity.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details of construction may be resortedto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed. It is intended that the patent shall cover, bysuitable expression in the appended claims, whatever features ofpatentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of applying a substantially uniform coating composition to contiguous selected portions of a traffic surface by using a power-driven apparatus, wherein the method comprises the following steps that are performed substantially concurrently, including:a) depositing a plurality of coating composition ingredients upon selected portions of a traffic surface to be coated; b) moving at least one set of rotary tools along a forward path of travel at a controlled forward velocity to bring the set of rotary tools into contact with deposited coating composition ingredients, with the set of rotary tools including an associated rotary structure having 1) a plurality of associated depending blades that are arranged in an array about an associated center axis that extends substantially normal to the selected portions of the traffic surface, and 2) having connection means movably connecting at least selected ones of the associated blades to the associated rotary structure so that, when the set of rotary tools is rotated about the associated center axis, at least said selected ones of the associated blades are permitted to move a limited amount relative to the associated rotary structure to accommodate the character of said selected portions of the traffic surface to maintain relatively close, substantially parallel contact with such selected portions of the traffic surface as are engaged by the associated blades; c) rotating the set of rotary tools about its associated center axis at a controlled rate of tool rotation with at least said selected associated blades being urged into substantially continuous contact with said selected portions of the traffic surface and into contact with coating composition ingredients deposited thereon to effect a relatively rapid mixng of the deposited ingredients to achieve a condition of substantially uniform coating consistency; d) applying to said selected traffic surface portions a coating of substantially uniform consistency that results from said mixing of said deposited ingredients, with the application being effected by continuing to rotate the set of rotary tools about its associated center axis at said controlled rate of tool rotation, with at least said selected associated blades moving relative to their associated rotary structure as is needed to conform to the contour of and to substantially maintain contact with said selected traffic surface portions; and, e) with the aforedescribed steps that are performed substantially concurrently including the steps of:i) mixing within a fluid reservoir at least a fluid portion of the coating composition ingredients that are to be deposited onto the selected traffic surface portions, with said mixing within a fluid reservoir being effected at least in part by operating blender means within a fluid reservoir that is located atop the rotating set of rotary tools, and with the operation of the blender means serving to assist in maintaining the homogeneity of the fluid portion of the coating composition ingredients carried within the reservoir; ii) ducting a regulated flow of said substantially homogenous fluid mixture of ingredients from the reservoir to and through a discharge station so as to deposit the flow of ingredients onto selected traffic surface portions that underlie the discharge station, with the discharge station being located substantially centrally with respect to the rotating, depending blades of said set of rotary tools; and, iii) moving the center axis of said set of rotary tools along said forward path of travel and at said controlled forward velocity, with said movement along said forward path of travel and at said controlled forward velocity serving "in concert" with said "regulated" dispensing and flow of coating ingredients, and serving "in concert" with said controlled rate of rotation of said set of rotary tools to effect the application of a substantially uniform coating to the contiguous surface area of said selected traffic surface portions.
 2. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 1. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein 1 additionally including the steps of:a) providing wheeled transport carriage means for supporting such structure as defines said reservoir, for supporting said blender means, for supporting the rotary tools for rotation about the associated center axis at a rotary tools rate of rotation, and for supporting the power-driven apparatus atop a traffic surface for movement along the forward path of movement at said controlled forward velocity; b) providing power drive means including a source of rotary energy and connection means 1) for drivingly connecting with the blender means to operate the blender means, 2) for drivingly connecting with at least selected ones of the wheels of the transport carriage for driving the selected wheels to move the carriage along the forward path of movement at said controlled forward velocity, and 3) for drivingly connecting with the rotary tools for rotating the rotary tools at said controlled rate of tool rotation; and, c) operating the power drive means to operate the blender means, to drive the selected wheels to move the carriage along the forward path of movement at said controlled forward velocity, and to drive the rotary tools at said controlled rate of rotation.
 4. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 3. 5. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of operating the power drive means includes moving the carriage along the forward path of movement at a controlled forward velocity within the range of about 1.7 to about 2.7 miles per hour.
 6. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 5. 7. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of operating the power drive means includes rotating the set of rotary tools at a controlled rate of tool rotation within the range of about 42 to about 66 revolutions per minute.
 8. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 7. 9. The method of claim 7 wherein the step of operating the power drive means includes maintaining a substantially constant ratio of about 1 to 25 between the velocity in miles per hour at which the transport carriage is moved along the forward path of travel, and the rotational speed in revolutions per minute at which the rotary tools are driven at said controlled rate of tool rotation whereby, for example, when the forward velocity of the transport carriage is about 1.7 miles per hour, the controlled rate of tool rotation is about 42.5 revolutions per minute.
 10. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 9. 11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of operating the blender means includes the step of rotating a plurality of blending blades that are disposed within the fluid reservoir, that are drivingly connected to and supported by a blender shaft that extends through selected portions of the reservoir, and that are rotatable in unison with the blender shaft when the blender shaft is rotated about a blender shaft axis along which the blender shaft extends substantially coaxially, with the rotation of the blender blades being effected by rotating the blender shaft about the blender axis, and with the rotation of the blender blades serving to stir, mix and blend the fluid mixture that is contained in the reservoir to assist in maintaining its homogeneity.
 12. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 11. 13. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of rotating a plurality of blending blades includes the step of operating the power drive means to rotate the blender shaft about the blender shaft axis at a speed of rotation that is within the range of about 34 to about 53 revolutions per minute.
 14. A traffic surface coated substantially uniformly in accordance with the method of claim
 13. 15. Apparatus for applying to a traffic surface a coating composition consisting of plural ingredients, the apparatus comprising:a) carriage means including a frame and wheels for supporting the frame atop a traffic surface to be coated, and having an imaginary center axis that extends substantially normal to such portions of the traffic surface as extend along a path of travel and underlie the carriage means as the carriage means moves across traffic surface portions while moving along the travel path; b) supply source means including at least one container that is connected to the carriage means as by being mounted on the frame for containing fluid coating constituents that are to be applied to the traffic surface, with said container having a bottom wall that intercepts the center axis, and having bottom wall portions that define an outlet opening that extends about the center axis, and with the supply source having power-driven blender means for extending into such fluid coating constituents as are carried within said container to mix and blend such constituents to facilitate maintaining the homogeneity thereof; c) dispensing means connected to the frame and including:i) a hollow tubular member that communicates with said outlet opening and depends along the center axis from the location of said outlet opening for defining a discharge opening that is spaced below the outlet opening, with the discharge opening being spaced above traffic surface portions that underlie the carriage; ii) valve means for selectively permitting and regulating the flow of coating constituents from said container through said discharge opening, including a valve member that is configured to seatingly engage the outlet opening that is provided in the bottom wall of said container for selectively blocking the flow of coating constituents from said container through the outlet opening, and for selectively permitting a regulated flow of coating constituents from said container through the outlet opening; and, iii) valve control means for positioning the valve member relative to the outlet opening so as to selectively move the valve member between a position blocking the flow of coating constituents from said container through the outlet opening, and a position that opens said outlet opening sufficiently to provide a regulated flow of coating constituents through the outlet opening; d) applicator means for mixing the deposited ingredients in situ on the traffic surface, and for spreading and applying the resulting coating composition to the traffic surface, including at least one set of rotary tools, with said set including:i) an associated rotary structure that extends about and is movably connected to said hollow tubular member for being rotated about the center axis; ii) a plurality of associated depending blades that are arranged in an array about the center axis; iii) connection means for movably interconnecting at least selected ones of the associated blades to the associated rotary structure for permitting limited movements of the selected associated blades relative to the associated rotary structure so as to accommodate the character of such portions of the traffic surface as pass beneath said selected associated blades and to maintain relatively close, substantially parallel contact with such portions of the traffic surface as the carriage means moves along the path of travel; e) power drive means connected to the carriage means as by being supported on the frame, and including:i) engine means for rotating a drive shaft; ii) centrifugal clutch means drivingly connected to the drive shaft, having output means, and being operable to drivingly connect the drive shaft with the output means for concurrent rotation when the engine is rotating the drive shaft at or above a predetermined speed of rotation; iii) first drive connection means drivingly connected to the output means for transferring rotary drive motion from the output means to at least selected ones of the wheels that support the frame for effecting self-propelled movement of the carriage means along the travel path across the traffic surface; and, iv) second drive connection means drivingly connected to the output means for transferring rotary drive motion from the output means to the rotary structure for rotating the associated depending blades about the center axis as the carriage means moves along the travel path to effect mixing, spreading and application of the dispensed coating constituents to coat the traffic surface.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the power drive means also includes third drive connection means connected to the blender means for transferring rotary drive motion from the output means of the rotary structure for operating the blender means.
 17. A rotary tool apparatus for depositing coating constituents on a traffic surface, for forming a coating composition on a traffic surface by mixing and spreading the deposited constituents, and for applying the resulting coating composition to the traffic surface as by smoothly spreading the same thereover irrespective of the lateral dimensions of the traffic surface, comprising:a) wheel-supported frame means having at least one substantially vertically extending center axis, with the frame means including a frame structure and a plurality of wheels for supporting the frame structure atop a traffic surface; b) power drive means connected to and supported by the frame means for providing a source of rotary motion; c) hollow, tubular stub shaft means rigidly connected to and supported by the frame means, including at least one hollow, tubular structure that extends about a separate one of said at least one center axis, and having a lower end region that depends from the frame means along its associated center axis to for defining an associated discharge opening that is spaced above traffic surface portions that underlie the carriage; d) reservoir means connected to and supported by the frame means and defining interior region means for receiving and containing one or more quantities of coating constituents, including at least one tank-like structure having a bottom wall portion means that cooperates to define at least a part of said interior region means, with the bottom wall portion means having outlet opening means formed therethrough including at least one separate outlet opening that is associated with each of the separate tank-like structures, with said least one outlet opening being positioned within relatively close proximity to at least one associated center axis; e) dispensing means for ducting one or more controlled flows of coating constituents from said outlet opening means into the associated hollow, tubular stub shaft means that extends along said associated center axis, and for discharging such ducted controlled flows through said associated discharge opening onto traffic surface that underlie said associated hollow, tubular stub shaft means, including:i) conduct means for communicating said at least one part of said interior regions means with the interior of said associated hollow, tubular stub shaft means for ducting at least one flow of coating constituents from said outlet opening means into said associated hollow, tubular stub shaft means for discharge through said associated discharge opening; ii) valve means including a separate valve member associated with each of said outlet openings for selectively permitting and preventing said at least one flow of coating constituents to discharge from said reservoir means through said associated outlet opening and into said conduct means, with each of the separate valve members being configured to be moved into and out of seated, sealing engagement with such structure as surrounds and defines its associated outlet opening; and, iii) valve control means for positioning each of said valve members relative to its associated outlet opening so as to selectively move such valve member between a position of seated, sealing engagement with such structure as surrounds the associated outlet opening, and positions spaced from the associated outlet opening that selectively permit an associated controlled flow of coating constituents through the associated discharge opening into portions of the associated conduit means and through portions of the associated hollow stub shaft means for discharge through the associated discharge opening onto underlying portions of the traffic surface; f) applicator means for mixing the deposited constituents in situ on the traffic surface, and for spreading and applying the resulting coating composition to the traffic surface, including at least one set of rotary tools, with each such set including:i) an associated rotary structure that extends about and is movably connected to a selected one of said hollow, tubular stub shafts for being rotated about the associated center axis; ii) an associated blade set including a plurality of associated depending blades that are arranged in an array about the associated center axis; iii) connection means for movably interconnecting at least selected ones of the associated blades to the associated rotary structure for permitting limited movements of the selected associated blades relative to the associated rotary structure so as to accommodate the character of such portions of the traffic surface as pass beneath said selected associated blades during rotation of the associated blades about the associated center axis, and to maintain relatively close, substantially parallel contact with such portions of the traffic surface as the carriage means moves along the path of travel; and, g) drive connection means connected to and supported by the frame means for transferring rotary energy from said power drive means to at least one of said sets of rotary tools for rotating such set of tools about its associated center axis as said carriage means is caused to travel across selected portions the traffic surface that reside along a path of travel, with the dispensing means being operated during such travel to deposit coating constituents onto said selected portions of the traffic surface, and with the rotation of said rotary tool means by said power drive means serving to mix and spread the deposited coating constituents, and to apply the resulting coating to said selected portions of the traffic surface.
 18. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 17 additionally including power operated blended means extending into the interior region means for engaging coating constituents carried therein to mix said constituents and to thereby facilitate the maintenance of constituent homogeneity within the interior region so that, when said contents are dispensed therefrom, the character of the contents that is dispensed tends to be of relatively uniform homogeneity.
 19. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 18, wherein the power drive means includes engine means for providing a power driven drive shaft that serves as a source of rotary motion, throttle means connected to the engine means for controlling the speed of rotation of the drive shaft, clutch means including 1) input means drivingly connected to the drive shaft for rotation in response to rotation of the drive shaft, 2) output means drivingly connected to said rotary tool means for supplying rotary energy thereto for rotating said rotary tool means about said at least one associated center axis, and 3) drive coupling means for selectively drivingly interconnecting the input means with the output means for selectively transmitting rotary energy therebetween to rotate the output means in response to rotation of the input means.
 20. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 19, wherein said clutch means includes a centrifugal clutch that has an input that defines said input means, an output that defines said output means, and means for defining said drive coupling means for selectively drivingly connect the input means with the output means for concurrent rotation only when the engine is rotating the drive shaft at or above a predetermined speed of rotation.
 21. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 20 wherein said drive coupling means is operative to drivingly connect the input means with the output means when the speed of rotation of the drive shaft is substantially equal to or greater than 2200 rpm.
 22. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 19 additionally including propulsion drive connection means for drivingly connecting the drive shaft of the engine means to at least selected ones of the wheels that support the frame structure for effecting self-propelled movement of the frame means across the traffic surface along the path of travel.
 23. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 22 wherein said propulsion drive connection means is operative to effect self-propelled movement of the frame means across the traffic surface at a speed within the range of about 1.7 to about 2.7 mph in response to operation of the engine means to rotate the drive shaft within the range of about 2200 rpm to about 3600 rpm.
 24. The rotary tool apparatus of claim 17 wherein the drive connection means is operative to rotate said at least one of said sets of rotary tools at a rotational speed between about 42 and about 66 revolutions per minute when the apparatus is being moved along a forward path of travel to dispense, mix, spread and apply coating constituents, and wherein the velocity of movement along said path of travel is within the range of about 1.7 to about 2.7 miles per hour. 